North Forest ISD nearing the end

The North Forest Independent School District is nearing the end of its appeals to stay open, paving the way for Houston ISD to take over.

State education commissioner Robert Scott notified the North Forest administration in a letter released Friday that he was officially revoking the district’s accreditation after years of academic and financial woes.

Scott gave notice in July of his intent to close the district, but some in North Forest have remained optimistic that it wasn’t a done deal.

The district can appeal the ruling to Scott, but the commissioner had held strong that the 7,500 North Forest ISD students would be better served in neighboring HISD. The takeover is set to take place at the start of next school year, though HISD officials have said students can start enrolling in the district now.

The U.S. Justice Department still must approve the deal. But if prior rulings involving North Forest are an indication, the federal agency will sign off.

The latest notice from Scott gives HISD officials clearance to start planning for a major transition. Will HISD keep all the North Forest buildings or move some students into its own facilities? What, if any, debt will HISD have to assume? Will HISD hire any of the North Forest teachers?

“While it saddens me to take this action,” Scott wrote, “given the expectations of state law and my concern for the long-term education of the students served by the North Forest ISD, I am compelled to move forward with this process.”

Albert Coleman, the president of the North Forest school board, said Friday afternoon that the district planned to appeal its revoked accreditation, and he’s optimistic the district will survive.

“At this point we don’t want anyone to panic because more or less we’re trying to understand Robert Scott’s decision,” Coleman said. “I don’t see why the district should be shut down.”